Tour operators, group travel organisers and the UK travel trade are to be invited along on a virtual road trip in Bridgend County, Southern Wales.

Because of the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Destination Management Team there are offering tour planners an alternative to visiting the area in person – they’ve produced a helpful film with the help of Eastwood Media and group travel specialist company Steve Reed Tourism.

The ‘Bridgend County Virtual Group Travel Fam’ follows a carefully selected and enjoyable itinerary featuring Porthcawl and surrounding coast and countryside of Bridgend County.

Produced with the needs of the coach and tour sectors in mind, the film follows Steve around the highways and byways of this attractive and often undiscovered part of the UK. Numerous attractions, group venues, hotels and scenic sites are included.

The filming schedule took in a variety of group attractions including Ewenny Pottery; Parc Slip Nature Reserve; Rest Bay Watersports Centre; Porthcawl Grand Pavilion; Porthcawl Museum; Finnegans Fish and Chip Restaurant and Pyle Garden Village.

Hotels were also featured and these included the Best Western Heronston Hotel in Bridgend; the Seabank Hotel in Porthcawl and the Great House Hotel and Restaurant in the village of Laleston.

Well known Southern Wales coach and tour operator Cresta Coaches were included in the filming with a drone following the coach as it drove along Porthcawl’s stunning seafront.

Alice Brown is the Destination Management Officer of Bridgend County Borough Council: She says: “The tourism industry is facing unpreceded challenges at the moment and this promotional film aims to support our partners to prepare to welcome groups back to the area when circumstances allow. We know that the groups market plan well in advance and will be planning for 2021 and beyond already. Steve Reed Tourism are very well known amongst the country’s tour planners and it’s good to have Steve taking the metaphorical wheel on this film!”

‘Filmed to depict the range of options for groups in Bridgend County, the film includes a whole series of practical suggestions and possibilities for groups coming into the area – some of the sites are well established and others not so well known. So it gives tour planners the heads up of where to go, what to do and where to stay overnight and dine.’

The film includes face to face interviews with some of the attraction and hotel partners around Bridgend County.

‘The Roadtrip is definitely a great alternative to the idea of having people descend on an area and taking in a showcase event,’ explains Steve Reed.

‘It will certainly help to put the beautiful seaside resort of Porthcawl and indeed Bridgend County onto the travel trade map. The destination and local partners deserve to see their names in lights.’

Tour Planners around the UK will be sent a link for the Bridgend County Virtual Group Travel Fam in the coming weeks. Anyone who requires more information about booking a group in the area should contact Alice Brown on alice.brown@bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 815 332.